Racing is going GREEN w ethanol & biofuels | FerrariChat

Racing is going GREEN w ethanol & biofuels

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by WILLIAM H, Jul 3, 2008.

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  1. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    http://arstechnica.com/journals/science.ars/2008/02/12/cellulosic-ethanol-makes-its-racing-debut

    Cellulosic ethanol makes its racing debut
    By Jonathan M. Gitlin | Published: February 12, 2008 - 03:01PM CT

    It might seem odd for someone who writes about climate change to be a racing fan, but no one ever said life was uncomplicated. Concern for the environment and a desire to see cars run flat out around a track aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, as car companies and racing teams test new automotive technology in the crucible that is the race track.
    Most major racing series, mindful of the need to put out a more green image, have plans in the works to make their industry a little more environmentally friendly. The Indy Racing League runs their cars on corn-based ethanol, Formula 1 has plans to introduce regenerative braking technology, and NASCAR has recently leaped into the latter half of the 20th century with the use of unleaded gas. But if you're looking for a racing series that best advances automotive technology, you need to be watching the American Le Mans Series.

    A series that runs in the US with rules (mainly) written by the organizers of the 24-hour race at Le Mans, the ALMS is a series for sports cars, from the production-based GT1 and GT2 classes to the exotic, carbon-fiber bodied P1 and P2 prototype classes. Audi and Peugeot have been contesting the P1 class with a pair of prototypes (the R10 and 908) that both feature V12 diesel engines, and most other competitors are using a biofuel ethanol/gasoline blend.

    However, although corn's use as a biofuel has been touted frequently by politicians (who may or may not have been campaigning in Iowa), it is becoming more and more obvious that corn-based ethanol is not the panacea once thought. Cellulosic ethanol, on the other hand, doesn't involve taking food and converting it to fuel. And that's just what Corvette Racing are going to be using to power their C6.R racing cars this season. The C6.R competes in the GT1 class, which features production-based sportscars that have then been highly modified. Earlier today, I got a chance to speak to team boss Doug Feehan about the fuel switch for 2008.

    Feehan explained to me that they feel cellulosic ethanol, supplied by KL Process Design Group, represents the second generation of biofuels, and the team wants to be on the forefront of the industry as they move away from corn-based biofuels to more environmentally sound sources. The C6.Rs will use the biofuel in the ALMS series, but not at Le Mans this summer, where they hope to make last year's Aston Martin victory a one-off. The seven-liter V8 engines are quite happy using the E85 fuel, but fuel consumption is around 20-25 percent worse than gasoline. It is expected that the sport's sanctioning body will require GT cars that aren't using E85 to fit smaller gas tanks to compensate.

    You'll be able to see for yourself how the switch is going at the first race of the season, The 12 Hours of Sebring, which will be held March 12 through 15, and later in the season, we hope to have a look at the car in person and report how they're getting on. For racing to continue to be relevant, it has to respond to the world around us, and, as far as the ALMS goes, it seems to be responding well.

    Buzz up!
     
  2. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    Thanks for the article, Interesting to hear that Corvette is the first team that's going in a new fuel direction. I think it would also be a good read to find out what the associated costs of the Cellulose Ethanol are compared to regular gasoline or even the corn based ethanol and if they are actually saving money or if it's from a strictly environmental standpoint that they're using the new fuel.
     
  3. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    I'm glad they are doing it

    Doing nothing could cost the PC brigade to try to ban racing which would be disastrous so if its a little more expensive its a worthy investment
     
  4. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Didn't most racing series drop methanol because of the fire dangers?
     
  5. smart_alek

    smart_alek Formula Junior

    Jun 12, 2005
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    I would call it alternative fuels. I cannot see how ethanol can be seen as "green".
     
  6. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    It ruins the soil, causes food prices to sky rocket and governments {x2} are so in love with the idea that no one has said a word. What's not to like?
     
  7. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Yup, PC BS to keep the masses thinking the govt is fixing things
     
  8. smart_alek

    smart_alek Formula Junior

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    Yup. Driving up the price of corn, wheat, and other staples.
    The thing is, here in Ontario, the government has a vested interest in promoting Ethanol, which I'm sure is true for states that have big agricultural and farming industries.
    I can see past all that Maybelline!
     
  9. mousecatcher

    mousecatcher Formula 3

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    not all ethanol is derived from useful food sources.
     
  10. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    Everything I've read and heard in the mainstream solely focuses on destroying crop land. What percentage will be 100% sustainable? My early guess is none, so what percent will have the least impact on the environment, soil used to grow food, the economy and what percent will be most viable?

    Sad days are ahead.
     
  11. LightGuy

    LightGuy Four Time F1 World Champ
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    They (we) have to start somewhere.
    Its a step right or wrong. We cant continue as is.
     
  12. bowbells

    bowbells Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2008
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    Save fuel?

    Easy, make all sports non-attendance events- TV only. More non-green usage by the spectators than the actual participants.

    FWIW, more carbon fuel is used in the production of a gallon of Methanol than governments will ever admit.
     

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